Dana Point Mayor Lisa Bartlett speaks at the Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Jan. 30. She is running for Orange County Board of Supervisors. MELINA PIZANO, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

5th District supervisor race

LISA BARTLETT, DANA POINT MAYOR

Money raised July 1 to Dec. 31: $50,933

Personal loans, same period: $75,000

ROBERT MING, LAGUNA NIGUEL COUNCILMAN

Money raised July 1 to Dec. 31: $78,801

Personal loans, same period: $25,000

FRANK URY, MISSION VIEJO COUNCILMAN

Money raised July 1 to Dec. 31: $38,746

Personal loans, same period: $0

The developer behind the controversial Doheny Hotel proposal in Dana Point was one of the largest donors last quarter to Mayor Lisa Bartlett’s campaign for Orange County supervisor.

Beverly Hills Hospitality Group donated a total of $1,400 to Bartlett’s campaign for the 5th District seat on the Board of Supervisors being vacated by termed-out Pat Bates, campaign disclosure statements show.

The developer donated $500 on Nov. 6 and $900 on Dec. 13 – four days after a public hearing about the hotel where an amended proposal was introduced that would require the City Council to ultimately approve the project.

At that hearing, which featured strong criticism from some Dana Point residents, Michael Draz, chief executive of Beverly Hill Hospitality, proposed an alternative that would turn part of Lantern Bay Park into the hotel’s driveway. That would require that the hotel proposal go before the City Council for final approval, as the land for the park was donated to the city by Orange County with the stipulation that it be used as parkland.

Bartlett said concern about the developer’s contribution would be premature because the project has to go through many levels of review before it reaches the City Council, if it does. Bartlett said she would make sure she was complying with all campaign finance laws before deciding whether to vote on it.

The Planning Commission has yet to vote on the hotel but might at its April 14 meeting.

In her first quarter of fundraising since announcing her candidacy for supervisor in October, Bartlett raised $50,933, trailing Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming, who raised $78,801 in the same quarter.

Bartlett’s total contributions were $128,162, including two loans to herself – $20,000 in August, before she announced her candidacy, and $55,000 on Dec. 31, the last day of the quarter. She also raised $2,229 in nonmonetary contributions.

“I’m cautiously optimistic and very pleased with the results I’ve been able to achieve in the last quarter of 2013,“ she said.

Bartlett was the last of the three candidates to enter the race, which also includes Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming and Mission Viejo Councilman Frank Ury.

Other notable donors to Bartlett’s campaign included Dana Point Planning Commission members Liz Claus, Norm Denton and April O’Connor, as well as Councilman Scott Schoeffel, who donated $1,900, the maximum allowed.

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